Mom's of 2+ kids, how do you do bedtime routines (esp if DH works nights or is not home from work yet)

I am due with DC #2 in September, and DH works nights.

Right now it takes me about 45 mins to get DS down for the night... I bring him upstairs, change him, put pj's on, read a few books, give him a bottle, snuggle for a few minutes and put him down in his crib (did CIO last week - thanks ladies to all of you who replied on my post about CIO with a toddler ).

I am worried about how I will do this "routine" by myself once DC #2 makes his/her debut.

Do you just put them in a bouncy in the room with you or in their crib while
putting DC #1 down?

Thanks in advance!!!

Message edited 5/19/2010 11:25:40 AM.

Re: Mom's of 2+ kids, how do you do bedtime routines (esp if DH works nights)

My DH is not home for bedtime either. So I had to get a toddler and newborn twins asleep by myself without losing my mind! As it got closer to the time the babies were coming I started to "cut" some time off of our bedtime routine. My DS was 2 1/2 when the babies were born, so he didn't get a bottle at bed time anymore so that helped.

When the babies were newborns if they were awake I would let them lay in their crib or put their bouncy seats on the floor of their room while I got DS ready for bed. It usually worked OK, because I made sure to time feedings so they were not the same time as bedtime....I had no other choice!!

Once they were here I had to cut out a lot of his bedtime routing and he adjusted really well (it was harder on me!! LOL) I would bring him to the living room to do pj's (if that is where the babies were), read only 2 books then put him in bed and kiss goodnight.

As the babies have gotten a little older it is easier.....they go to bed earlier so once they are in bed than DS goes to bed.

ETA: i couldn't put the babies in the room with DS for bedtime b/c he would not settle down - they distracted him too much

Message edited 5/19/2010 11:31:10 AM.

Re: Mom's of 2+ kids, how do you do bedtime routines (esp if DH works nights or is not home from work yet)

In the beginning I just put Jack to bed first. The baby was always up later anyway (11pm would still be getting a bottle) When this was the case I just brought the baby wherever we were. If we were upstairs I would put him in the rocker or swing that we kept up here. If he was napping downstairs then I would leave him alone.

Then at about 5 months the baby started to go to bed earlier then Jack (he gets a bottle at 6 and is out by 6:15)

This is a little harder bc Jack is all wound up at this time and it's challenging to keep him occupied while I'm putting the baby to bed. Some nights I can put a show on and time it perfectly. Other nights the show ends, he comes upstairs, and runs around like a lunatic -- keeping the baby up a little longer bc Jack is so loud.

It all works out in the end somehow. It is VERY VERY overwhelming at first though. You will get into your own groove soon enough though

Re: Mom's of 2+ kids, how do you do bedtime routines (esp if DH works nights or is not home from work yet)

So far I put DD#2 down somewhere (crib, bouncy, etc..) and the DD#1's routine. Seems to be working so far but its only been 4 weeks!

Re: Mom's of 2+ kids, how do you do bedtime routines (esp if DH works nights or is not home from work yet)

What I do know on nights that DH is not home for whatever reason.

When I give DD#1 a bath I either put DD#2 in the glider in the living room or if she is a little fussy I bring her in the bathroom with us in her bouncer seat.

While I am putting on DD#1s pjs and reading to her I lay DD#2 either on DD#1s bed or she hangs out in the glider.

Once DD#1 is in bed I then give DD#2 a bottle and swaddle her and put her to bed.

My MIL gives DD#2 a bath and I give DD#1 a bath.

DD#1s bedtime routine with bath and everything is about 20-25 mins.

ETA: DD#2 is not sleeping in her crib yet so I will also sometimes put her in the crib with the aquarium on to keep her occupied while doing DD#1s bedtime routine.

Message edited 5/19/2010 11:57:45 AM.

Re: Mom's of 2+ kids, how do you do bedtime routines (esp if DH works nights or is not home from work yet)

Right now I put DC#2 to bed at 7 pm after his bath

I then give DC#1 his bath and read and then he goes to bed at 8:30

Re: Mom's of 2+ kids, how do you do bedtime routines (esp if DH works nights or is not home from work yet)

My DH travels a lot so I do the bedtime routine by myself quite frequently.

I moved bath time up-both kids get early baths. I give DS a bottle and then DD gets her bath. In the beginning, I couldn't count on DS sleeping through DD's bath, so I brought him into the bathroom in his bouncy chair.

Once DDs bath was done, we all went downstairs and DD watched a show while I gave DS a bath (or she would help me give him the bath).

We would have some down time (play, eat snack, books, show, whatever) and then if DS was still awake, I would take him upstairs with DD and do the rest of her routine. Thy usually both sit on my lap for books or we all lay on the floor.

We sing 2 songs to Claire once she gets in bed and rub her back, for these I put Owen in the bed with her and she loves it.

Now that DS is getting on a bit of a routine, I usually wait until he falls asleep before taking DD upstairs for books and bed. I leave him in the swing or his chair or the floor-where ever he fell asleep.

It's not as bad as I thought-you will be okay

Re: Mom's of 2+ kids, how do you do bedtime routines (esp if DH works nights or is not home from work yet)

In the beginning the baby was always up later, but now he does to bed first---I set my 2 year old up on our bed with a special show or video, then get the baby ready for bed. By the time I am done with the baby there is usually a little time to play and then bath time for my older son. It has become a tight routine (the baby is almost 5 months), but it was one of my biggest challenges in the beginning.

Re: Mom's of 2+ kids, how do you do bedtime routines (esp if DH works nights or is not home from work yet)

ds - 8 months old, goes down at 7:30 and miki - 3 years old, goes into bed at 8:30ish

Re: Mom's of 2+ kids, how do you do bedtime routines (esp if DH works nights or is not home from work yet)

Put the baby to bed FIRST, then do your normal nighttime routine with DS. While you are getting the baby ready for bed, you can have DS watch a dvd, or color a picture, or eat a small snack.

Re: Mom's of 2+ kids, how do you do bedtime routines (esp if DH works nights or is not home from work yet)

THanks so much ladies!!!!!

You have some great ideas! I hope it isn't as bad as I am imagining it will be!!!!

Re: Mom's of 2+ kids, how do you do bedtime routines (esp if DH works nights or is not home from work yet)

i hv 3. my oldest is 9 1/2, 2nd is 2 1/2, 3rd is 15 months. After dinner the 2 little ones go directly in the bathtub and get pj's on (usually around 7). if its still nice out we go for a walk in the wagon. Once the boys are dont DD gets in (usually around 730ish). they watch 2 shows and the little one & oldest fall asleep in the LR. The middle one will stay awake until 3am watching TV if we let him. He has more energy then the others & he does stay up a bit later. I am starting a new routine for him and he will be asleep by 9 every night. once i change the channel he falls asleep.